New England Dragway ignites the asphalt with its electrifying Street Night program, offering a unique chance to engage in safe and legal drag racing. Held primarily on Wednesday and Friday nights from April through October, these events are designed for everyone from racing novices to seasoned enthusiasts looking to push their street-legal vehicles to the limit under the night sky. If you’re new to drag racing, it’s highly recommended to review the Drag Racing Basics in the Racer Handbook to get acquainted with the fundamentals of quarter-mile racing and preparation. Friday Street Nights also welcome snowmobiles and Junior Dragsters, expanding the range of vehicles hitting the track. Please note that dragsters, altered vehicles, and roadsters are not permitted at Street Nights, ensuring a focus on street-style vehicles.
The rules outlined below are essential for participation and prioritize safety and fair competition. For a comprehensive understanding of all safety regulations, consult the Racer Handbook and the most recent NHRA Rulebook.
Car and Truck Street Night Regulations
For those participating in Street Night with cars and trucks, either to test modifications or simply enjoy the adrenaline of nighttime racing, the following guidelines are in place to ensure safety and fair play on the track.
- Tires: Slick tires are allowed specifically during Friday Street Night events, providing enhanced traction for those looking to maximize performance. However, bald tires are strictly prohibited due to safety concerns.
- Exhaust Systems: Open exhaust systems are not permitted, maintaining noise levels and ensuring a community-friendly environment at the dragway.
- Co-Drivers: To enhance the experience, co-drivers are permitted in all vehicles that are running at 14.00 seconds or slower, allowing friends to share the thrill of the race.
- Safety Restraints: Seat belts are mandatory for all participants, emphasizing essential safety measures.
- Fluid Containment: An overflow can for the radiator is required to prevent track contamination and maintain safe racing conditions.
- Battery Security: A battery hold-down bracket is necessary to ensure the battery remains securely in place throughout the race.
- Starting System: Races utilize a .500 Full Tree with a manual start, testing driver reflexes and vehicle launch capabilities.
- NHRA Compliance: All vehicles must adhere to the safety and equipment standards detailed in the current NHRA Rulebook, ensuring national-level safety benchmarks are met.
- Street Legal Requirements: Vehicles must be street legal and capable of passing a state safety inspection, reinforcing the “street” aspect of Street Night.
- Nitrous Oxide: The use of nitrous oxide is allowed, provided it is installed according to the guidelines specified in the NHRA Rulebook, ensuring safe and regulated performance enhancements.
- Driver Licensing: A valid state driver’s license is required for all drivers. Learner’s permits are not accepted. Junior Street drivers must be accompanied by a legal guardian who possesses a valid license.
- Helmets: Helmets meeting Snell 2015 or newer standards are mandatory for any vehicle running at 13.99 seconds or quicker, protecting drivers in higher-speed runs.
- Fire Safety Gear: A Fire Jacket meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/1 is mandatory for cars running between 10.00 (*6.40) and 13.99 (*8.59) seconds if they feature non-OEM superchargers, non-OEM turbochargers, or nitrous, and have an OEM or .024-inch steel firewall, addressing fire safety in performance-modified vehicles.
- Driver and Co-Driver Attire: Drivers and co-drivers must wear long pants, shirts, socks, and closed-toe shoes, ensuring basic protective clothing is worn.
Motorcycle Street Night Regulations
Motorcycle enthusiasts looking to experience street racing at night will find specific regulations tailored to two-wheeled vehicles, balancing performance with safety.
- Tires: Slick tires are not allowed for motorcycles. Street tires are mandatory, though DOT-approved racing tires are acceptable, ensuring tires are appropriate for street-legal bikes.
- Tire Condition: Bald tires are prohibited, maintaining tire safety standards.
- Exhaust Systems: Open exhaust systems are not allowed, similar to car regulations, to manage noise levels.
- Starting System: A .500 Full Tree with manual start is used, consistent with car racing for fair starts.
- NHRA Compliance: Motorcycles must comply with all safety and equipment requirements as outlined in the NHRA Rulebook, ensuring adherence to national standards.
- Street Legal Requirements: Motorcycles must be street legal and pass state safety inspections to participate in Street Night.
- Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide is permitted when installed according to NHRA Rulebook guidelines. All nitrous-assisted motorcycles must have an approved Engine Containment System, regardless of speed, enhancing safety for modified bikes.
- Operator Licensing: A valid state motorcycle operator’s license is required; learner’s permits are not accepted, ensuring rider competency.
- Helmets: Full-face Snell M2015 helmets are mandatory, providing maximum head protection.
- Protective Gear: Leather jackets and gloves are required for all motorcycle racers. Over-the-ankle leather shoes or boots are also mandatory for foot protection. Leather pants are required for motorcycles running 10.99 seconds or quicker, or exceeding 120 MPH, adding another layer of protection at higher speeds.
- Competition Numbers: All motorcycles must display a permanent competition number plate on the right side, aiding in track management and identification.
Drag Racing Basics at Street Night
For those new to New England Dragway’s Street Night or needing a refresher, understanding the basic procedures can streamline your race night experience. It’s also beneficial to review the General Race Day Procedures and General Safety Procedures in the racer handbook for more details.
Upon arrival at Street Night, after paying your race fee at the pit gate, your first stop is the Credentials Building. Here, you’ll present your driver’s/operator’s license to a New England Dragway representative to receive your wristband and tech inspection card. After this, proceed to the tech area located behind the concession building for your vehicle inspection.
The wristband must be immediately placed on the driver’s wrist upon issuance and is required for all drivers. Crew members who wish to ride as co-drivers also need to obtain a wristband. It’s crucial to note that under New Hampshire law, wristband swapping is considered theft of services and is a criminal offense. New England Dragway has a Zero Tolerance policy for this, and anyone caught swapping wristbands will face arrest, immediate removal, prosecution, and be banned from future events.
Complete your tech card and wait for a tech inspector. The inspector will check your license, wristband, and tech card. Vehicles passing inspection will receive a number and be directed to the staging lanes.
When your lane is called, ensure you are race-ready: seat belts fastened, windows (including sunroof) closed, and lights on if applicable. The Staging Director will guide you to the burnout area. If you opt for a burnout, follow the Water Box Technician’s instructions. After your burnout, proceed directly to the starting line.
Advance to the starting line until your tire triggers the pre-stage light, then carefully move forward until the stage light illuminates, signaling to the starter that you are ready.
React to the green light for the optimal start. A perfect reaction time is .500 seconds. Accelerate fully down the quarter-mile track until you cross the finish line.
If you suspect any vehicle malfunctions or fluid leaks, pull over immediately and await assistance from track personnel.
Begin deceleration after crossing the finish line, continuing to the third turn. Track personnel at this turn will guide you on exiting the track. Remember, the vehicle in the right lane has the right of way. Proceed to the time slip booth at the posted speed limit of 10 MPH to collect your performance data.
Your time slip provides detailed run information, including reaction time, elapsed times at various points (60′, 330′, 1/8th mile, and 1/4 mile), and MPH readings at the 1/8th and 1/4 mile markers. This data is invaluable for evaluating your performance and making adjustments.
After reviewing your time slip, you can cool down your vehicle in the pit area or return to the staging lanes for another run. Cooling down in the staging lanes is not permitted.
Disqualification Rules
All racers are responsible for knowing and adhering to the rules of New England Dragway and NHRA. Violations may result in warnings or disqualification based on severity. A second violation during the same event can lead to immediate disqualification and eviction. Violations include, but are not limited to, inoperable tail lights, or not wearing required safety gear like a fire jacket when running 11.49 seconds or quicker.
Immediate disqualification will occur for the following infractions, and racers will not be allowed to race until the issue is resolved:
- Convertibles running 13.49 seconds or quicker without a roll bar.
- Motorcycle or snowmobile riders running 10.99 seconds or quicker without leather pants and/or a lanyard.
- Hardtop vehicles running 11.49 seconds or quicker without a roll bar.
- Drivers/riders running 9.99 seconds or quicker without valid NHRA credentials.
- Drivers running 13.99 seconds or quicker without a Snell 2015 or SFI spec helmet.
- Drivers/riders running 13.99 seconds or quicker with a co-driver in prohibited scenarios.
By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, participants can ensure a safe, thrilling, and enjoyable street racing experience at New England Dragway’s Street Night events.
